In Flanders Fields Museum

A sobering reminder of the horrors of WW1. The museum is very well done with many interactive exhibits, and it's presented in a way that conveys the severity of the war without needing to be unnecessarily graphic. We spend the better part of 2 hours there and even our 10 year old didn't get bored.

Loved visiting this museum. So much more information and displays than I realised. Definitely worth spending a couple of hours here. If you're feeling fit it's also worth the 231 step climb to the top of the bell tower. The views are perfect

The museum costs €14, including access to the Belfry or there's an option to include the town museum too for a few € more. As expected, the museum is extremely well done, giving a chronology of the lead up to war, the psychological state of the nations (nationalism being extremely important in this era) and was enlightening. It made me wonder if the way the EU and UK governments deride populism, patriotism and nationalism is a knee jerk reaction to a war encouraged by national arrogance and, as is common with governments, they were a conflict or two behind the times. There were sections showing the equipment the soldiers of each nationality started the war and how this evolved with individual weapons and strategic weapons such as gas being developed in the war. The particular events in the Ypres area were obviously the main focus and the horrendous massacres instigated by largely clueless generals were laid bare. It was an informative but also saddening museum as we really aren't any better now and we have the tech for a modern war but not the psyche and social media disinformation has left us less aware than 20th century state media. The belfry climb was entertaining with a large number of spiral steps, followed by a metal staircase and then more spiral steps to get to a narrow walkway around the top of the tower. The views were as impressive as you'd expect with the flatness of the local scenery being very apparent as you took in the 360 degree panorama. After seeing the destruction that had been wrought a hundred years before from photos in the museum it was incredible how the town had been restored, nature had largely repaired the human damage and life carried on.

This is how museums should be done. Perfect mix of interactive and more traditional content. Well laid out. Freindly Staff. And with the Belfrey Tower added as a fantastic mid visit experience. If you are in Ypres you will not regret a visit.

Very interesting museum with nice insights on the regional history of Flanders. Nice staff, entrance good visible and accessible. Excellent for school groups and tours. Museum itself works with a bracelet and an audio guide. Labels are boyh in Dutch and English (and some in Fr/ German).

A visit not to be missed. As we move further away from this horrific event, the lessons are even more important to share. The Museum is large so you will have lots to see. We paid up 2 extra euro for the tower portion but it can be missed, especially on a lower visibility day. The audio guide for 2 euro was definitely worth it. (NOTE: bring you corded headphones) the production is high quality with many interactive kiosks.

Heart rendering display of Belgium's appreciation of America's commitment and the cost during WWI. Young school children adopt a veteran and learn about him. There is a yearly ceremony to recognize those Americans lost. It is so sad to think of our current administration's lack of knowledge of history.

Great museum that does a good job of giving an overview of the war in the area. Lots of information covering how the war developed, the tactics used and the people involved. In depth information is available along with an optional audio guide. Can be completed in about 1 to 2 hours and child friendly for pushchairs.

This is a great museum in the heart of Ypres. There is a parking lot nearby and some street parking available. Entrance was 10 euros for adults. Kids under 6 are free. You get a poppy bracelet to let you in and out of exhibit and to follow along with one person's experience. Audio guides are available for a small fee. It's a great museum with lots of great artifacts, and amazing dramatized first hand accounts. The museum offers everything in English, French, Dutch, and German so it's easy for many people to read and understand. We spent about 2 hours there. I'm a history nerd and read a majority of the panels. Our little one did well. The museum is stroller accessible and when he was done my husband was able t take him to the cafe downstairs for a snack while I continued in the museum. Highly recommend.

As a history buff I was somewhat disappointed with this museum. It seemed to care more about gadgets and gismos than telling the story of the brutal battles that were fought around the town. Do we really need to scan our wristbands to watch over produced stories. Do we even need the bloody wristbands??? I'm sure if you know nothing about the battles then this place may be more interesting to you, that is why I gave it three stars when I really want to give it two. Lay off the Hollywood 'style' and just tell the history please!

A WWI history excursion to Belgium would not be complete without spending time here. The building in which it is housed is a sight unto itself as it features wonderful architecture. The museum allows a somewhat personalized visit as a watch issued upon entry allows registration of basic information such as nationality and preferred language. One can then activate certain displays to get a response specific to that information. There are many items of interest to the history buff and the casual observer alike. It will require two to three hours at minimum to take in all of the information though some will spend more. The displays are excellent. The multimedia presentation is gripping and very well done featuring re-enactments of the accounts of medical personnel. For an extra cost, you can choose to climb the tower to take in the magnificent views afforded by the perspective from the top. Overall, this is a must-see if you are visiting Ypres. The information presented is outstanding, the displays are well done and the museum is well laid out. The €9 fee is unquestionably worth it.

Took the train from Brussels as it was easy day trip. When doing research about this place it said allow two or so hours. We were there for 5 and still didn't get done! There is so much to see and we did not want to skip a thing. I would not recommend it for little ones as the sights can be gruesome but my pre-teen dug it. The wristbands allow you to interact if you prefer the human experience. However, there are so many exhibits and reading displays that you don't even need the wristband. As a history buff this place had me like a kid in a candy store. They even have a miniature battlefield complete with underground views. Too cool!!

Good museum. Very kid friendly with the bracelets and interactive exhibits. Not large so plan on a few hours maximum. I learned a lot and while I'm a history buff there was a lot of blanks this helped fill in for me. Beautiful building. Pay the extra euros to climb the tower. Be careful! Steps are steep and narrow but the view is worth it.

This Museum is basically dedicated to the battles that were fought over Ypres in World War I and I must admit that it is incredibly emotional. They way that they have set it up, with their use of multi-media, really impacts you. While the museum looks at the war as a whole, and goes through a lot of detail (including looking at the various forces that fought in the war) the main focus is on the battles fought in the Ypres salient. This place is definitely worth a visit, particularly since it really helps you understand how horrify war really is.

I remember this museum from a number of years ago. It has not improved with age. Where is the iconic poem? Why must visitors scan wristbands to read brief stories about random people? The exhibit seems to be completely random. Then there is a gift shop at the end. Because of course.